The entire Raj Bhavan Road cordoned off to stop agitators from reaching the venue from roads other than the earmarked ones

The usual weekend buzz was missing in the city, which came to a near grinding halt amid crippling traffic restrictions on Sunday. Sudden restrictions imposed to regulate movement of activists heading to ‘Telangana March’ on Necklace Road led to much inconvenience to the people.

Traffic restrictions were imposed at major junctions such as Khairatabad, Ranigunj, Punjagutta and Somajiguda while the entire Raj Bhavan Road was cordoned off to stop agitators from reaching the venue from roads other than the earmarked ones.

“Permission for the march was granted late on Saturday night, hence people coming from other places were not properly informed about the arrangements made for their movement. This created confusion and forced tighter restrictions,” a police official explained.

Commuters were forced to take circuitous routes because of the various restrictions and barricades as the police refused to relent despite pleadings. “The police was not even willing to help us find alternate routes,” bemoaned K. Krishna Vamsi, a resident of Masab Tank.

The police placing restrictions on Raj Bhavan road resulted in hardships for scores of residents in the area. The stretch has connecting lanes with several apartments and closure of the entire road had the residents here unable to go out or come in. Several of them were seen pleading with the police on duty on being allowed to reach their homes. After the Congress MPs held a demonstration in front of the Chief Minister’s Camp Office, the police closed this stretch too and residents of Maktha and several other localities connected by the road were left stuck for long.

At Punjagutta circle, vehicles were forced towards Ameerpet and many headed to residential areas behind Grand Kakatiya were left in lurch.

Slideshow

Preparation for celebrating the Festival of Colours - Holi is in full swing with small-time vendors and in Begum Bazar and others areas in Hyderabad stocking materials like colours and Chinese sprayers. Photos: Mohammed Yousuf.